Originally posted by Spiraling_ShapeAlso, no mention of Bob Backlund's induction into the Hall Of Fame...I was surprised he wasn't already in there!

When Mr. Backlund demands we name the Presidents of the United States in order, thanks to The Rock, we know number 19 is Rutherford B. Haaaayyyyeeeesssss, bitch!

Originally posted by Matt TrackerZiggler getting an early number could set the stage for a valiant Rumble effort to get him over even more. He made Miz look like a million dollars out there despite a botched Figure Four.

You know, I like The Miz, even as a babyface. And I'm down with him getting a better finisher than the SCF. But his figure four and Miz getting WOOOOs are appalling. It'd be one thing if Miz actually was great at the figure four and they asked Flair to give Miz his blessing and the rub, but it seems like it happened the exact opposite of that. Miz was given a finisher he's not about to turn down from a legend but fuck if he knows how to do it. What seems to be screwing him up too is that the figure four is applied with grabbing, twisting and bending the left leg but Miz instinctively seems to want to move as if he's grabbed the right leg. (Which I can't blame him for as it looks like an actual 4 with the right leg and not the other way around.)

(edited by John Orquiola on 22.1.13 1318)"Cody, I mustache you a question." - The Miz

So is there any chance Rock-Cena is NOT for the belt, or is that more or less a foregone conclusion? It hit me that perhaps the build to Wrestlemania might start with Cena interfering in the Rock-Punk match, costing Rock the title (as revenge for Cena-Miz two years ago, perhaps).

Originally posted by HokienauticSo is there any chance Rock-Cena is NOT for the belt, or is that more or less a foregone conclusion? It hit me that perhaps the build to Wrestlemania might start with Cena interfering in the Rock-Punk match, costing Rock the title (as revenge for Cena-Miz two years ago, perhaps).

I think Rock/Cena II almost has to be for the belt. They need to raise the stakes somehow. Plus, having Rock going on mainstream TV with the belt as champ would be good visibility.

Yeah, I think it's very possible that Rock will lose, but then I think he'd still win at Elimination Chamber, if just so Punk can tour as champion while Rock only makes a few appearances between now and WrestleMania. Cena costing him the win would add great symmetry between the two.

I'm less enthused with the apparent top Mania matches than I can remember being in years. Rock/Cena for the title is balls. I understand why they want to do it, of course. When it makes money you do the rematch, clearly. It would be forgivable with more compelling programs underneath. But Punk/Taker does absolutely nothing for me, Justin's admirable frame for it notwithstanding. It's still just someone jobbing to Taker, and it won't top last year's bout with Trips, with the HITC and Shawn and end of an era and all the history coming to fruition. God only knows why Taker doesn't want to end on that, besides I guess for money. And then, to add to that, Lesnar/HHH? So they paid Brock seven figures to job to Cena and semi-retired Hunter? Of all people? What a fucking colossal waste of money. Ugh.

You can bitch and moan about how much you may hate the 'What' chant, but the live audience eats that shit up. Any arena on any given show will break out it a What chant. No matter how awesome Austin was, no matter what he accomplished as a wrestler, 'What' will be his legacy. It's here to stay and there's nothing anyone can do about it.

I'm less enthused with the apparent top Mania matches than I can remember being in years. Rock/Cena for the title is balls. I understand why they want to do it, of course. When it makes money you do the rematch, clearly. It would be forgivable with more compelling programs underneath. But Punk/Taker does absolutely nothing for me, Justin's admirable frame for it notwithstanding. It's still just someone jobbing to Taker, and it won't top last year's bout with Trips, with the HITC and Shawn and end of an era and all the history coming to fruition. God only knows why Taker doesn't want to end on that, besides I guess for money. And then, to add to that, Lesnar/HHH? So they paid Brock seven figures to job to Cena and semi-retired Hunter? Of all people? What a fucking colossal waste of money. Ugh.

Isn't the WrestleMania card all fan speculation at this point, though? We don't even know the results of the Royal Rumble yet, to say nothing of Elimination Chamber.

(edited by ekedolphin on 23.1.13 0632)"I'm sorry, I'm not much of a hugger.""Not yet you're not."--Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan, SmackDown 1/18/13

Originally posted by CruelAngel777That Dr. Shelby chant from the crowd was the best. I loved the whole Anger Management graduation segment more than I thought possible.

I laughed out loud when he mentioned almost casually that Kane and Bryan are the first two to graduate from his classes.

I feel the Rock and Punk are knocking it out of the park.Rock's comedy stuff is an after thought and he's all serious when he addresses the Champ.The Shield's attack was solid, and of course the Rock sold it like he always does sold beat downs. Big time.

Miz's figure fout was terrible but the match was good.Cesaro and Orton had a good match as well, and the same for Sheamus vs Barrett. Sure, we've seen these matches before but I prefer getting these matches over random lame squashes.

The one thing I missed in this year's build up to the Rumble is the video with all the numbers.But I can forgive them as long as I get to point at the WM sign starting Sunday.

Originally posted by JustinShapiroFirst of all, Cena's sociology promo was one of his cringiest ever. That said,

Originally posted by lotjxIts a shame Cena winning the Rumble is all, but certain.

I kind of wish it was certain. Rock should win, Cena should win, lock it all in place in the biggest possible way, no shenanigans to try to keep things interesting for the February PPV and a Rumble winner challenging for the A-title for the first time in a while.

I've no issue with a rematch and a Cena win if they actually do something interesting with it, like, you know, turn him heel. But deep down we both know that won't happen, Cena will simply get his win back and all will be set right with the world.

(even though losing last year really didn't seem to bother him all that much)

Originally posted by John OrquiolaMiz was given a finisher he's not about to turn down from a legend but fuck if he knows how to do it.

At one point, I was half expecting him to somehow end up putting the figure four on his own legs.

On the most recent Lance Storm show on the Observer site, Storm (quoting Shane Helms) said that Miz's figure-four should be renamed the figure-forgot because he couldn't remember how to do it properly.

He also pointed out that it was a beat-the-clock match so when Ziggler's leg slipped, Miz probably just panicked, thinking he didn't have time to start the move over, but that's less clever.

This show was notable for having both Cena and Rock deliver two of the worst promos of their careers.

I hope Lesnar dashes Rocky's championship dreams... get them both out of the way and in a Mania match people will pay to see (which is the point).I'm just dreaming, but this way we avoid "Cena vs Rock: Once in a Lifetime Again"

I rather see Punk lose the belt to Cena at Mania than see Cena vs Rock again.

You know, Vince never said The Rock would win if The Sheild got involved, just that Punk wouold vacate the title. Maybe this is a way to get to a Punk/Cena/Rock match at Wrestlemania. If they could figure out a way to make it a Heavyweight/WWE Championship unification match, even better! (...since they seem to be officially ending the brand split.)